On the morning of October 21, Quang Ninh city of Vietnam welcomed its 3 millionth international visitor of the year, who arrived aboard the luxury cruise ship Viking Orion, alongside nearly 900 other travelers.
The 3 millionth visitor, an American tourist, arrived in Ha Long Bay from Hong Kong. This marks a significant milestone for the city’s tourism sector, as Quang Ninh province continues to recover and thrive following the challenges posed by the global pandemic. The Viking Orion, known for its high-end amenities such as a cinema, theater, bar, and health care center, has a maximum capacity of 930 guests and has made multiple visits to Ha Long Bay.
During their two-day stay, the group of tourists is expected to explore Ha Long Bay, visit the Quang Ninh Museum, and discover other key attractions in the province.
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Provincial leaders highlighted the significance of reaching the 3 millionth international visitor milestone, the highest number of foreign arrivals since 2020. This achievement underscores the rapid recovery of Quang Ninh’s tourism industry, which was severely affected by Typhoon Yagi earlier in the year.
Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 cruise season, Quang Ninh expects to welcome more than 60 cruise ships, bringing over 100,000 passengers from renowned luxury lines such as Viking Orion, Costa, Seven Seas, Noordam, Celebrity Solstice, Le Lapérouse, Seabourn, and Mein Schiff. By the end of 2024, Ha Long is projected to receive nearly 20 cruise ship visits.
Quang Ninh province has set an ambitious goal of attracting 19 million tourists by the end of 2024, including over 3.5 million international visitors, solidifying its position as a premier destination in Vietnam.